Ask Starbucks: Make all outdoor seating areas smoke-free!

The health risks associated with exposure to secondhand smoke are clear: Secondhand smoke can cause lung cancer, heart disease, low birth-weight, and chronic lung ailments like bronchitis. Just 30 minutes of exposure to it can cause heart damage similar to that of habitual smokers. Additionally, secondhand smoke is known to trigger asthma, allergies, and other critical respiratory problems in people sensitive to smoke.

I certainly understand these dangers: I've lost three of my grandparents to smoking-related cancers. That's why I'm asking Starbucks to be an industry leader in combating smoking-related illnesses. I'm petitioning the company to enact a smoke-free policy for outdoor areas at all of its stores.

Demand for smoke-free outdoor dining is growing. More than 190 municipalities have enacted laws for 100 percent smoke-free outdoor dining areas, and Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, and Washington State prohibit smoking in all outdoor dining areas.

Starbucks’ recent decision to extend its smoke-free policy to outdoor areas in all of its California stores is applaudable. It's important that Starbucks protect customers' health and enact this policy nationwide.

As one of only a handful of restaurant chains with a worldwide corporate smoke-free workplace policy, Starbucks has already taken big steps toward protecting consumer health. By establishing nationwide smoke-free outdoor dining areas, Starbucks would remain an industry leader and promote a healthy environment across the country where customers can enjoy their time at Starbucks without compromising their health.

Please urge Starbucks to remain an industry leader in combating smoking-related illnesses. Sign this petition asking the company to make all its outdoor dining areas 100 percent smoke-free.

Letter to

Chairman, President and CEO of StarbucksMr. Howard Schultz

Starbucks Corporation

Starbucks

and 2 others

Press OfficePress Office

Business ConductBusiness Conduct

Last year, Starbucks’ decided to extend its smoke-free policy to all of its outdoor seating areas in California. Earlier this year, Starbucks Philippines announced its intention to extend the same policy to all of the outdoor seating areas in the Philippines. I applaud your decision and am writing as a customer of Starbucks to urge you extend your smoke-free policy to your outdoor seating areas nationwide.

The scientific evidence on the health risks associated with exposure to secondhand smoke is clear: Secondhand smoke is a known cause of lung cancer, heart disease, low birth-weights, and chronic lung ailments such as bronchitis, as well as other health problems.

It contains a toxic soup of more than 4,000 known chemical compounds and, according to the National Cancer Institute, 69 known or probable cancer-causing chemicals. Just 30 minutes of exposure to secondhand smoke can cause heart damage similar to that of habitual smokers. Additionally, secondhand smoke is known to trigger asthma, allergies, and other critical respiratory problems in people sensitive to smoke.

However, smoke-free outdoor dining areas are not just good for the health of your patrons; they are excellent for business as well. Demand for smoke-free outdoor dining is growing. More than 190 municipalities have enacted laws for 100 percent smoke-free outdoor dining areas, and Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Michigan and Washington State law prohibit smoking in outdoor dining areas, as does the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Customers want smoke-free outdoor dining areas, and they will attract far more customers than the status quo.

It is rarely easy to move away from smoke when sitting at a table outdoors. It also diminishes the overall Starbucks’ experience because it is difficult to enjoy the smell of Starbucks coffee amidst smoke. By establishing nationwide smoke-free outdoor dining areas, Starbucks would promote a healthy environment across the country where customers such as myself can enjoy their time at Starbucks without compromising their health.

Please protect the health of your patrons. With this simple but incredibly important act, Starbucks can continue to be a leader in public health.